NBA Draft 2012: Comparing Every First-Round Pick to an NBA Legend

Will NCAA champion Anthony Davis be the next Hakeem Olajuwon, or the next Michael Olowokandi?

With the NCAA championship trophy back in Lexington, Ky., players and fans alike turn their eyes to the 2012 NBA Draft. With so much talent across the board, NBA executives should be excited about the potential stars they will be adding to their franchises.

But who will these players resemble?

With the NBA season still winding (or grinding, depending on who you are cheering for) down, and the unpredictable lottery selection process still ahead, the placement of each player is not the focal point of this list.

Rather, the focus is on the NBA legends that these projected first-round selections resemble—with some luck and a lot of hard work. Some are going to be busts, or perhaps marginal role players, but who is interested in talking about those comparisons?

Anthony Davis, Kentucky

Coming off a 16-rebound, six-block night that helped the Kentucky Wildcats win their eighth NCAA Championship, Anthony Davis is arguably a lock to be the No. 1 pick in the draft.

His length, defensive mindset and quick feet automatically make me think of “The Dream,” Hakeem Olajuwon. Davis can only hope to have a career that is half what Olajuwon stitched together over his 17 seasons.

Terrance Jones, Kentucky

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

With a nose for the basketball, Terrance Jones has the potential to be a force in the NBA. He will need to continue to add to his frame, but that will only help him battle for rebounds against bigger opponents as he secures his footing in the league.

Harrison Barnes, North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Harrison Barnes has so much potential it was almost painful to watch him not take over games on a nightly basis. He has a good shot, can get to the hoop, disrupts passing lanes and has an overall game that reminds me of a certain someone else from UNC.

Jeremy Lamb, UConn

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

JeremyLamb is a clutch shooter, has long arms and is a good athlete. He is projected to be a top-10 pick. With any luck, he will have an NBA career similar to recent Hall of Fame inductee Reggie Miller.

Though Lamb is a bit shorter than Miller, his ability to make shots from all over the floor will help any team.

Jared Sullinger, Ohio State

This comparison will likely make some people scratch their heads. But with Sullinger’s ability to score in the paint and his defensive abilities, he draws comparisons to Bill Russell.

Obviously, he has a long way to go before anything resembling a link can be made between these two players. Russell was the best center to ever play in the NBA. But perhaps this very slide will motivate Sullinger.

Austin Rivers, Duke

Damian Lillard, Weber State

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

The ease with which Damian Lillard can score—albeit against lesser competition than many on this list—makes him seem much more like a shooting guard than a point guard at this point. Depending on the needs of the team he is drafted by, that may change, though his 6’2” frame may force him into the point-guard role.

A scoring point guard is an asset for any team, unless it upsets teammates, that is. A true point-guard comparison is not possible at this juncture, given his history. So a comparison to Allen Iverson seems most logical. (Wait, Allen Iverson and logical in the same sentence?)

Meyers Leonard, Illinois

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

With Meyers Leonard’s 7’ frame and 245 pounds, he still has a lot of weight to put on to hold his own in the NBA. He will need to continue to work on his defensive skills, as well as his fluidity on offense. But his size alone will be quite an asset in the NBA.

If he focuses primarily on defense and utilizes his length, he could well be a presence in the paint, perhaps resembling Dikembe Mutombo.

Kendall Marshall, UNC

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

The undisputed (by a committee of one) natural point guard coming out of the NCAA this year, Kendall Marshall knows how to run the floor like a veteran. He makes his teammates better by getting the ball to them exactly where they need it. Any NBA franchise that takes Marshall should see a rise in productivity around him.

Just don’t count on him for points.

With Marshall’s ability to control the game, he could end up being a floor general like John Stockton was for so many years in Utah.

Perry Jones III, Baylor

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Perry Jones III is uniquely explosive, and that trait should transfer well to the NBA. He still has a lot of work to do to form an overall game, but the foundation is certainly there for a very successful career.

His explosiveness alone demands a comparison to the Human Highlight Reel, Dominique Wilkins. But he needs to step up his intensity on a consistent basis to merit such a comparison.

Moe Harkless, St. John's

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Smooth Moe Harkless is a bit of a tweener at 6’8”, making him a touch tall for a small forward, yet too small for a power forward. His fluidity reminds me of someone that used to glide across the floor, Clyde Drexler.

John Henson, North Carolina

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

John Henson is a swat machine. If he adds some size to his frame, he will be an interior force. His 7’4” wingspan will help him defend bigger, stronger players. But eventually he will be worn down through his first (and possibly second) NBA seasons.

Henson could develop his game similar to New York Knicks legend and NBA Hall-of-Famer Patrick Ewing.

Tyler Zeller, North Carolina

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Staying with the Tar Heels, and in the interior for that matter, Tyler Zeller runs the floor as good (or better) than any center in this year’s draft. He needs to put on some weight, like many of the underclassmen who will also be in the draft. But he has a good, diverse foundation.

If Zeller is lucky, he could end up with a career similar to that of Kevin McHale, though he would also need a Larry Bird-esque player to attach himself to bring home some hardware.

Terrence Ross, Washington

Jason Szenes/Getty Images

Terrence Ross has a nice touch from the outside, but his ball-handling is a bit suspect. That is not to say he couldn’t shake me out of my shoes. But if there is an aspect of his game that he needs to work on, this is it.

If he does improve this part of his game, his overall package could freeze defenders cold while he lights up the scoreboard.

Dion Waiters, Syracuse

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

Dion Waiters is another player caught in-between positions, having the ability to play either point or shooting guard. While at 6’4” he could play either spot, his shooting ability may push him to the No. 2 spot in the long run.

If that is the case, he could do a lot worse than play like Hersey Hawkins, who thrived shooting from the outside.

Doron Lamb, Kentucky

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Doron Lamb’s abilities were at times overshadowed on such a loaded UK team, but there is no doubt that this guy can score. He knocked down two huge back-to-back three-pointers to help distance the eventual champions from Kansas, and his clutch shooting will be an asset in the NBA.

If he makes a career out of it, perhaps he will be a part of the next generation NBA logo.

Tony Mitchell, North Texas

Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesIf you look closely you can see Tony

He is another player who does not fit the mold of any one position. Tony Mitchell has to decide if he is going to focus on his interior or perimeter game. He can certainly combine the two later on, but one will have to be a focal point.

My money is on the 6'8" Mitchell extending his game away from the basket. With his broad shoulders, he could make him a problematic small forward to cover. He would certainly be more athletic than his NBA comparison, but he can only hope to acquire the same shooting touch.

Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Andrew Nicholson needs a lot of work to earn a comparison to an NBA legend, but he does seem to possess a tremendous upside. He has good size, though he still needs some additional bulk. But he will need to develop a more well-rounded game to bang against the big men in the NBA.

Mason Plumlee, Duke

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Mason Plumlee is raw, so what type of player he turns out to be in the NBA is still a huge question. With that in mind, and without any substantial ground to stand on, his comparison will simply be a name association. They certainly look the same.

Marquis Teague, Kentucky

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Marquis Teague is the last of the NCAA champions on this list, but he may very well surpass his former teammates in the NBA. He is a gifted point guard who can score when needed and shoots well from the outside (32.5 percent). But he does turn the ball over too much.

If he tightens his handle, he should have a long career in the NBA. With all that he brings to the floor, a turnover here or there will probably not completely submarine his career.